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Their Religious Symbols, Drawings and Expressions : 199
The mantra "Aum" has the same sound that the Hindu "Om". It comprises three A (Arhat, Aśarīrī, Ācārya), one U (Upādhyāya), and one M (Muni) i.e. "Aaum". It is a mark of respect toward the "venerated beings". It is also called "divine sound" for, according to some "Acarya", it permits those who say it to feel in their heart the presence of the five "Parameṣthin" and indirectly represents perfection, eternity, infinite.
The mantra "Hrim" is a mystical symbol. According to some adepts, it contains the energy of the 24 Tirthankara who are represented in its diagram.
The mantra" Arham" contains the first vowel and the last consonant of the Sanskrit alphabet. In meditating on this word, the devotee is supposed to do it on all the letters. It is to a certain extent the "Alpha and Omega" of their religion.
The mantra "Aum Hrim Arham" is a very ancient one. It awakens the energy called "kuṇḍalini” that sleeps in every living being. This phenomenon is well known by Yogis. According to some "Acārya”, after a long meditation on this "mantra", its vibrations allow those who pronounce it with a firm belief to be liberated of the "samsara". It has an obviously tantric character.
All rites, all religious ceremonies, involve for the Jains recitations of appropriate "mantra” and often of suitable “sūtra". That is the case, for instance, with the rite of marriage, when the officiant says, at the most important moment, "Aum Arham! You are today assembled for a noble reason. May you remain so joined for the eternity Arham Aum!"
The process that consists in repeating many times with devotion the same "mantra" is called "japayoga". It involves three stages: oral, whispered and mental. In doing so with the "Great Mantra" numerous
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